Murder of Maria Lauterbach
Maria Frances Lauterbach | |
|---|---|
Lauterbach, c. 2006 | |
| Born | November 17, 1987 Dayton, Ohio, US |
| Died | December 14, 2007 (aged 20) Jacksonville, North Carolina, US |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Rank | Lance Corporal |
| Unit | 2nd Marine Logistics Group |
Lance Corporal Maria Frances Lauterbach (November 17, 1987 – December 14, 2007) of Vandalia, Ohio, was a United States Marine who disappeared from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on December 14, 2007. At the time of her disappearance, Lauterbach was eight months pregnant. Authorities found the remains of Lauterbach and her unborn child in the backyard of Corporal Cesar Armando Laurean, who was extradited from Mexico in 2009 and convicted of murder in 2010.
The murder prompted Congress to order the Defense Department to make several changes in the way it handles sexual assaults in the ranks.